““Cursed is the one who does the work of the Lord negligently, And cursed is the one who restrains his sword from blood [in executing the judgment of the Lord].”
Jeremiah 48:10 AMP
The chances are pretty good that you have seen the sad digression of what was once a happy marriage, into what is at best, a marriage of convenience. Passion is long gone, having been replaced with a begrudging tolerance of what they feel they cannot escape.
As well, many of us have heard people in such situations express that they are just “going through the motions.”
Of course, we know that many marriages dissolve completely at the end of a slow roll toward indifference, after eventually evolving into resentment, or any number of negative emotions, toward one with whom was once shared real passion.
However, as awful is the dissolution of marriage through indifference and neglect, it is nothing compared to the tragic results of allowing our zeal for the Lord to be replaced with indifference. And even though the trappings of a relationship with the Lord remain, it is, well, just “going through the motions.”
In instructing Timothy, Paul warned concerning the trend of people’s behavior in the Last Days.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
Notice, with all the other evil behavior being described, Paul speaks of those who have a form of godliness (acting religious), but reject the call to righteousness (denying the power thereof). The people described here still practice religious observances; but their service to God, is simply a form devoid of a real function in determining who they really are.
God has always recognized when His people have lost their zeal for Him.
“And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.”
Isaiah 29:13 NLT
In the Lord’s messages to the churches in the book of “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” we find Him warning one that had lost their first love (Ephesus). He also warned one that had become lukewarm (Laodicea). Still another church was warned that they had become dead (Sardis). In fact, these churches were warned with the same emphasis as those involved in open sin.
In our opening scripture we see the Lord warning that doing work for Him in a careless, haphazard, negligent manner, brings a curse. In this particular reference, he is addressing the nations He has charged with executing His judgment; but the principle applies to whatever we do for the Lord.
Child of God, let us not gamble with the possibility of losing anything ranging from the Lord’s favor, all the way to losing our eternal reward.
Now, most of us can tell when someone is going through the motions in relationships. How then can we suppose that the Lord doesn’t see when what is done for Him is out of begrudging obligation?
If you have found yourself in such a place, repent and ask the Lord to restore your passion for Him. Then do your part by setting your heart and mind on that which is eternal.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
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